Elude [H.S.]

FIFTY-ONE

*TW: Talks of physical and emotional abuse, body-shaming, as well as mentions of a forced sex act (being present while someone touched themselves - same act that has been talked about in a previous chapter)*

I'm currently sitting in the passenger seat of Harry's car, staring down at my hands in my lap as we sit in the parking lot of the medical building I desperately needed to enter within the next five minutes to make my appointment on time. I was picking anxiously at my nails, and I think Harry had finally given up on trying to stop me as he had reached over about three times during our drive over here to do so, but eventually he stopped after that.

I think that he knew it was no use.

I was anxious more than I could say about having my first therapy session, and even though I was being pretty quiet, I was beyond grateful that Harry had taken half a day at work to bring me. It worried me at first that he had done that considering he was still new at his job, but he said they didn't mind letting him come. He told me that he had explained to them how important it was for him to be here for me after this first session.

He also didn't want me taking the subway here by myself, or a cab, considering that we were still waiting on the outcome of Conrad's trial. The last update that we got regarding that came from Grey just earlier this week. The trial was set to start next week, and I honestly couldn't wait for it to be over. The good thing was, we know that Conrad would be getting at least some jail time - we just couldn't be sure as to exactly how much.

"Maevey love, I don't want to rush you, baby, but if you don't go in now, you're going to be late," Harry's soft voice brings me out of my thoughts, and I look over to him as he sends me a small smile. "It's going to be okay, and I'm going to be right here where you leave me for when you get out."

I suck in a deep breath, but I end up nodding as I unbuckle my seatbelt. "I'm sorry, I'm just really nervous. I feel like I'm finally getting into a really good headspace, and I'm proud that I was able to do that all on my own. What if I go in there, and something gets brought up that triggers me, and then I fall back into the negativity all over again?"

Harry frowns as he looks at me, and he brings a hand up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "I don't think that's going to happen, but I can understand why you'd be anxious about that. The good thing is, you can set your own boundaries, right? You can let her know what you do and don't feel comfortable talking about right now, that way she doesn't push you into something that could make you feel like you're taking a step back instead of forward."

"Yeah, you're right," I tell him as I grab my purse, and drape the strap over my shoulder. "I'll just make sure I really make those boundaries clear for this first session."

"There you go," Harry cups my chin to pull me closer, and he presses a sweet kiss against my lips. "I love you. Everything's going to be just fine."

"I love you too," I respond, holding one side of his face in my hand so I can swipe my thumb over his cheekbone. "I'll see you in a little bit."